Pima Paws for Life , an animal shelter dedicated to caring for sick and injured pets for the past decade, is now facing the threat of closure due to financial difficulties — a challenge underscoring a crisis affecting animal shelters across the state.
“It’s very scary,” said shelter manager Alicia Carrizoza.
Pima Paws for Life opened its doors in 2013. They said, during this time, they saved thousands of pets that would have been euthanized at Pima Animal Care Center because of serious medical issues.
Now, PACC treats most diseases and Pima Paws for Life continues to help wounded animals, like Wallee, a dog that was attacked by two larger dogs. When the rescue brought Wallee in, the skin surrounding his ear was gone.
Maria Staubs“When I hear of one being abused, I just I get so angry and upset and you know. I want to make it all better,” Carrizoza said.
But, making it better for rescues is difficult when medical costs pile up — and, they aren’t the only local animal shelter struggling to make ends meet.